Signal recorder



Aug. 1, 1933. c. E. BEACH ET AL S IGNAL RECORDER Filed April 1, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet l 5 7 5 6 w a 4 \H y B 5 w 7 u WI. my H dmg/ AW 5: 7 H

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SIGNAL RECORDER Filed April 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 t9 INVENTORS Aug.1, 1933. c. E. BEACH El AL S IGNAL RECORDER Filed pfil 1, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet 5 IVENTORS WEM/ 723% 6% Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED STATESSIGNAL RECORDER Clarence E. Beach, Boston, and Foster E. Weld,

Newton, Mass., assignors to the Gamewell Company, Newton Upper Falls,Mass., at Corporation 01' Massachusetts Application A ril 1, 1929.swarm. 351,725

30 Claims.

This invention relates to signal recorders; and more particularly tothose of the electro-mechanical type in which record of a signaltransmitted to the recorder is made upon suitable rec- 0rd material.

The invention is herein shown for illustrative purposes embodied in amechanism for receiving signals transmitted through the medium of anelectric circuit, such, for example, as the circuit of a fire alarmsystem, and producing a permanent record of the signals received on arecording medium, herein by punching perforations in a paper tape. Themechanism herein shown in-' cludes constantly impelled driving devicesfor actuating the punching mechanism with constantly impelled drivingdevices for feeding the paper, together with electro-magnetic escapementmechanism responsive to the signals received for releasing and governingthe movement of the paper feeding mechanism and the punching mechanism.

The machine herein disclosed for illustrative purposes embodies incombination various improvements in the escapement mechanism and thepunching mechanism, but such improvements are susceptible of embodiment,either separately or together, in signal recorders of widely varyingtypes and in combinations other than those herein shown.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration'of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with the machine frame removed, showingthe principal working parts of the escapement controlled mechanism,

including the driving trains for the punching and paper feedingmechanism and the control devices and escapement devices therefor, allin a position corresponding to an idle or inactive condition of themachine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the top thereof removed andcertain parts broken away or omitted in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 3 shows the control and escapement members in a position assumedduring operation incident to the receipt of a signal;

Fig. 4 is a plan showing details of the holding and trip devices of themagnetically actuated trip mechanism;

Fig. 5 shows various positions assumed by the trip lever when the catchdevices are arranged for response to a normally'closed signalingcircuit;

Fig. 6 shows positions assumed by the trip when the catch devices arearranged for response to a normally open signaling circuit.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken through the punch or paperperforating device in a plane extending perpendicularly at right anglesto and transversely to the tape;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same in section taken in a. plane atright angles to and parallel with the length of the tape;

Fig. 9 shows different positions assumed by the cutting end of the punchin perforating the P p Fig. 10 is a plan view of the punch casinglooking from beneath, with the die plate removed;

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the die plate applied; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting or perforating end of thepunch.

Referring to the drawings and to the specific embodiment of theinvention therein shown, the recorder comprises a frame 15 at the sideof which (Figs. 2 and 7) is mounted a casing 17 containing recordingmechanism in the form of a punch 19 operatively related to a strip ofpaper tape 21, which latter is engaged between the idle, tensioned feedroller 23 and the positively driven feed wheel 25, the latter mounted onthe feed wheel shaft 27 and adapted, when rotated, to positively advanceand feed the paper beneath the punch. The punch is operable by the punchdrive shaft 29 acting through driving connections hereinafter more fullydescribed. The paper feed wheel shaft 27 and the punch drive shaft 29are each connected to a source of power, comprising separate normallywound spring driven trains (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), so that each shaft isconstantly impelled, but each is provided with controlling devicesresponsive to signals for releasing it to perform its required cycle ofoperations.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the source of driving power herein comprisesa single coiled motor spring 31, connected at its inner end to the shaft33 and at its outer endto the drum 35, the latter mounted on the shaft33 for rotation independently thereof, and constituting an actuatingmember for the paper feed roller shaft 27. The revoluble member 37 isalso mounted on the shaft 33 for rotation independently thereof,constituting an actuating member for the punch drive shaft 29. Theratchet 39 is fixed upon the shaft 33 and is engaged by thespringpressed pawl 41; the relationship of these parts being such thatrotation of the shaft 33 in the direction which efiects winding of thespring 31 may be accomplished without turning the member 37, butrotation of said shaft in the opposite direction will positively drivesaid member. The projecting end 43 of the shaft 33 is squared, tofacilitate engagement thereof for the purpose of re-winding the spring31 from time to time as may be required.

The gear teeth 45 are formed in a circum ferential portion of the member37, and act through a train comprising the gears l7, 49 and 51 to impelthe punch drive shaft 29 (Fig. 1)..

The gear teeth 53 are formed in a circumfer= ential portion of thespring driven drum 35-, and correspondingly act through a gearing traincomprising the gears 55, 57, 59, 62, 63 and 64 to apply driving power tothe paper feed roller shaft 27.

An escapement is provided for governing the rate of feed of the papertape when the feeding mechanism is released, which escapement comprisesthe weighted pallet 65 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) acting on the escapement wheel67 which is fixed upon the shaft 69 and governs the speed of rotation ofthe feed roller shaft 27 by connection therewith through a traincomprising the gears 71, 72, 73 and 63. The rate of operation of theescapement when the feed mechanism is released, and hence the rate ofpaper feed, may be variously adjusted by moving the weight 74 on thepallet arm 75.

To release the paper feed mechanism in response to the receipt of asignal impulse, there is provided above the described mechanism anoverlying feed detent arm 77, the free or movable end of which has adepending foot 79 provided with a lateral detent pin 81, the latteradapted to engage a radial stop pin 83 carried by the escapement shaft69 to prevent its rotary movement and stop the feed when the arm 77 ispositioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arm 77 extends to the oppositeend of the machine, where it is pivoted about a transverse axis in thesupport 85, the latter in turn being pivoted about an upright axis inthe fixed bracket 87, so that the arm is capable of both a vertical anda horizontal swinging movement. The bottom of the foot 79 is threaded at89 to mate with the threads on the screw 91 carried by the escapementshaft and to form a part nut through which it rests upon the screw andby which it is moved toward the pin 83 so long as it is in engagementwith the screw.

At the time required for the functioning of the feed, the detent arm israised, as represented in Fig. 3 (this taking place through the controlmechanism hereinafter described), and the foot 79 thereby becomes freedfrom engagement with the screw 91. This releases the detent arm from thescrew and the arm is immediately swung about its vertical pivot throughthe connected tension spring 93, from the full line position shown inFig. 2 to the dotted line therein shown, where the adjustable stop 95arrests the lateral movement of said arm; the nut 89 then beingpositioned over the opposite or leading end of the screw 91. In thisposition the control mechanism (as will appear) acts to lower the arm toagain engage with the then rotating screw, which latter, together withthe escapement shaft and feed shaft, starts to turn under the action ofthe spring driven feed train as soon as the weeps"? screw has beenreleased by the withdrawal of the detent 81 from the path of the stoppin 83.

On its re-engagement with the rotating screw 91, the nut is fedgradually from the leading end of the screw across the same, causing thearm 77 to swing from the dotted line position in Fig. 2 toward the fullline position therein shown. The rotation of the escapement shaft andthe feed actuating shaft will therefore continue, at the rate governedby the escapement, until the arm has again reached the full lineposition and the escapement shaft is again brought to rest by theinterposition of the detent pin 81 in the path of the stop pin 83,vhereupon the feed ceases until the detent arm is again raised.

in the idle or inactive condition of the machine (as represented inFigs. 1 and 2), while the feed train is locked by the detent arm 77, thepunch drive shaft 29 is held against rotation by a stop dog or lug 97which is then positioned in the path of a shouldered part of the cam 99secured to the punch drive shaft 29. The stop dog 97 is carried by amovable control member comprising the lever arm 101, pivoted at 103 onthe frame of the machine and adapted to be moved by the hereinafterdescribed release mechanism to shift the stop dog 97 to a releasingposition and withdraw it from the path of the cam when the electromagnet105 is subjected to the significant portion of a signal impulse, ashereinafter more fully explained. When such movement takes place, thecontrol devices occupy the positions represented in Fig. 3.

To govern the control member, the free end of the lever arm 101 ispivoted at 102 between the ends of two parallel links 107 (Fig. 2), theopposite ends of said links embracing and being pivoted at 108 to thefree end of one arm 109 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 111 on themachine frame, the linkage 107 and the lever arm 109 constituting thetwo members of a toggle joint between the arm 101 and the-arm 115, whichtoggle joint is broken or deflected (Fig. 3) to move the stop dog 97 torelease position, and brought to an approximately closed or straightenedposition (Fig. 1), preferably such that the pivots 102, 108 and 111 arein substantial alignment, to move the stop dog to its stop position. Thespring 117 has one end thereof connected to a lug on the lever arm 109.and the opposite end anchored to a fixed part of the machine in suchlocation as to tend to move said arm 109 to deflect the toggle joint andthereby cause withdrawal of the dog 97 from the path of the cam 99.

In the inactive position of the mechanism, the toggle joint ismaintained closed and the punch shaft 29 thereby held stopped by lockingmechanism which is operatively related to a latch 113 carried by thelower end of the depending main detent arm 115 which constitutes thecompanion arm of the bell crank lever arm 109, there being alsoassociated with the latch 113 suitable releasing or tripping mechanism(which, together with the locking mechanism, is hereinafter describedmore in detail) such that, whenever the electromagnet 105 is subjectedto the significant portion of a signaling impulse, the latch is releasedfrom the locking mechanism, freeing the detent arm 115, and therebypermitting the toggle joint to so open as to move the stop dog 97 out ofthe path of the cam 99, to its release position as shown in Fig. 3.

Upon occurrence of the significant portion of punch shaft, the feedtrain is also started into operation by the raising of the feed detentarm 7'7. To effect this movement, the controlling arm 101 is providedwith an offset 118 in which is affixed a lateral lifting rod 119 whichunderlies the feed detent arm '77 but is adapted to engage and raise thelatter, when the controlling member is moved (Fig. 3) to its releaseposition by the opening of the toggle joint, the rod 119 being ofsufficient length to underlie the feed detent arm '77 in all positionsof its lateral swinging movement and to so raise said arm as to permitspring 93 to swing the arm and the nut 89 towardthe leading end of thescrew whenever the control member is moved to its release position,whatever the position of engagement the nut may then have with thescrew.

In the course of the rotation of the punch shaft following it release bythe stop dog 97, the latter is restored to its stop position and thetoggle joint again closed by the restoring mechanism, so that the stopdog is brought into a position where it may stop the punch shaft at thecompletion of one full revolution. To effect the restoration of the stopdog 97, the controlling member is in bell-crank form, being provided, inaddition to the arm 101, with a restoring arm 121 which extends down atthe side of the cam 99 opposite to the stop dog 97 and carries a roller123 lying within the path of the cam and adaptedto be engaged by theshouldered part thereof on the completion of a partial revolutionthereof. The movement of the cam 99, acting through the restoring arm121, causes the control member arm 101. to carry the stop dog 97 back toits stop position (Fig. 1), and, acting through the finger 106,straightens the toggle joint and swings the main detent arm 115 towardthe bar 143 and thereby brings the latch 113 to latching position, whereit is held until again tripped, upon the occurrence of the significantportion of a further signal impulse; said bar 143 serving to preventexcessive over-travel of the arm 115, and thereby preventing appreciabletransverse over-travel of the pivot 108 of the linkage. During suchstraightening action, the elongation of the opening 104 (Fig. 1)provided in the arm 101 for receiving the pivot 102 permits said arm tomove away from said pivot sufficiently to cause the finger 106 to engageand so move the arm 109 as to fully straighten the toggle joint; thusavoiding the disadvantageous operating situation which would developduring the final portion of the straightening movement of the togglejoint, if accomplished through pull of the arm 101 against the pivot102, without the cooperation of mo-' mentum.

The operation of the control devices for the I feeding and punchingmechanisms thus far delatter withdraws the detent pin 81 from the path'of the stop pin 83, allowing the escapement shaft. as to turn under thegoverning action of the escapement. Being driymgby-a quick acting train,the punch shaft 29 is rotated through a complete revolution to actuatethe punch almost instantly, the shaft being again brought to rest on thecompletion of a full revolution by the restoration of the stop dog 97,which is carried by the control member arm 1011to a stop position; thelocking mechanism thereupon functioning to retain the detent arm, thetoggle joint and the control member until the occurrence of thesignificant portion of a succeeding signal impulse.

The movement of the lug 9"! out of and again into the path of the cam99, just referred to, is accomplished as follows: upon release of thearm 115, it is swung, together with the arm 109, responsive to spring117 so as to break the toggle, permitting movement of the arm 101responsive to the thrust imparted thereto by the cam 99 acting throughthe lug 9'7, until the arm 101 and parts moving therewith are carried tothe position shown by Fig. 3, in which said lug will be moved out of thepath of and thereby permit the cam 99 to freely rotate; the finger 106being, meanwhile, swung away from the arm 109 so as to permit furtherdeflection of the toggle. When the rotation of the cam 99 has proceededto a point where the trailing lobe of said cam is withdrawn from thepath of the lug 97, the advancing lobe of said cam moves into engagementwith the roller 123 and, acting through said roller, causes the arms 121and 101 to carry the lug 97 again into the path of the advancing lobe ofthe cam 99, so as to cause the rotation of saidcam to be arrested whenit has reached the position from which it started, as shown by Fig. 1.Incidental to this movement of the arms 121 and 101, the finger 106 ismoved around its pivot 103 in a clockwise direction until said fingerengages the arm 109 and positively moves same to a position where thearm will have carried the latch 113 slightly beyond the point where itmay engage either the catch bar 137 or the tip 155.

As the feed detent arm '77 is raised, it swings laterally and almostinstantly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, where it isimmediately thereafter dropped to engage with the screw 91, by thedropping of the lifting rod 119 which accompanies the restoration of thecontrol member arm 101 to its stop position. The feed of the tape thusinitiated then continues under the action of the feed mechanism untilthe detent arm 7'7 has been advanced on the screw 91 by the rotation ofthe escapement shaft 69 to a position where the detent pin 81 is broughtinto the path of the stop pin 83, and thereby arrests of sumcientduration to overlap the longest interval between any successivefunctionings of the punch shaft responsive to successive signal impulseswithin any signal.

If, during the feeding interval established by the feed controlmechanism and before the stoppage of the feed by the engagement of thedetent pin 81 with the stop pin 83, another signal impulse is receivedand another perforation is effected on the recording tape by the releaseof the punch mechanism, the detent arm '77 is again shifted back to theleading end of the screw, or to the position represented by dotted linesin Fig.

2, thereby prolonging the feed of the tape already effected by an amountcorresponding to the established interval of persisting feed. Thefeeding mechanism therefore will be driven without stoppage during thereceipt of all of the impulses constituting any complete signal, and thetape will run, after the last impulse of a signal, a distance asdetermined by the adjustment of the stop 95, without regard to thenumber of impulses constituting such signal. ith; will also be observedthat the spaces between the successive perforations in the recordingtape effected by the successive actuations of the punch in recording theimpulses of any complete signal will correspond to the intervals of timeelapsing between receipt of such impulses or between the successivesignificant changes in the energization of the magnet 105 (energizationsor deenergizations, as the case may be).

The action of the punch is almost instantaneous, while the feed of thetape is relatively slow, so that no appreciable interference with thefeed or with the functioning of the punch results from the concurrentaction of the punching mechanism and the feeding mechanism.

It'will be observed that the feed detent arm 77 is lifted by the controlmember arm 101 at the instant of release of the punching train, and isheld away from the screw 91 for an appreciable interval and until thetoggle joint is again, restored to closed position. The restoration ofthe toggle joint is initiated when the cam 99 has turned throughapproximately two-thirds of its revolution, but, due to the accelerationof the cam shaft following its release, the last third of its revolutiontakes place very rapidly, so that the interval during which the feeddetent arm is held lifted corresponds very closely to the time requiredfor the cycle of action of the punching train. This appreciable intervalof disengage ment between the detent arm 77 and the screw 91, which isobtained by utilizing, for lifting this arm, a part (the control memberarm 101) which is abnormally positioned during most of the time occupiedby a revolution of the shaft 29, assures that the nut 89 will be heldout of mesh with the screw 91 for a suflicient time to permit the detentarm to reach its starting position, where it is brought into contactwith the stop 95, and to permit subsidence of any chattering or reboundwhich may develop when the movement of the arm '77 is arrested by itscollision with the stop 95.

In order to cushion the stoppage of the quick acting punch shaft 29 andto harmlessly absorb its momentum, the stop dog 97 is bifurcated toprovide two arms 124 (Fig. 2) which embrace the opposite sides of thearm 101 and through which it is pivotally mounted thereon to apply tothe center line of the toggle joint the thrust resultant from thepressure of the cam 99 against the free end of said dog 9'7. The stopdog is drawn toits stop position against the shouldered abutment 125 onthe arm 101. by the relatively stiff tension spring 126, the oppositeend of which is secured to the arm 121. When the stop dog 97 is restoredto its stop position, after having been withdrawn by the arm 101 topermit rotation of the punch shaft 29, and the cam thereafter engagesthe stop dog, the spring 126 permits sufficient yielding movement ofthis dog to suitably cushion the stoppage of the punch train and bringit to rest without causing impairment or objectionably rapiddeterioration of the train or of the detent mechanism therefor; but thespring 126 is, nevertheless, of sufficient strength to draw the stop'dog97 back against the abutment 125, when the punch train has come to rest,notwithstanding. the thrust of the cam 99.

It will be seen thatthe toggle joint presents a linkage which is, ashereinbefore mentioned, normally disposed in a substantially straightline extending in the general direction of the thrust received from thepunch shaft. In other words, the linkage is of such form and arrangementthat the thrust imparted to the arm 101, through engagement of the dog97 by the cam 99, will be exerted along a substantially straight lineintersectihg the center pivot 108 and the terminal pivots 102 and 111 ofthe toggle joint; this line being maintained sufficiently straight toprevent the exertion of any appreciable tendency to break or deflect thetoggle due to the engagement of the dog 97 by the cam 99, even upon theoccasion of the impact incident to stopping the mechanism at theconclusion of a cycle of the action thereof.

In other words, the spring 117 supplies all or substantially all of theforce which acts to tend to break or deflect the toggle joint from itsnormal straightened position, so that the friction which must beovercome in order for the magnetically operated latch to release thetoggle joint and permit its deflection, is substantially constantirrespective of differences in the force of the turning thrust of thepunch shaft 29 (as applied to the toggle joint through the dog 97 andarm 101) irrespective of whether such thrust is the result of the mainspring being tightly wound or almost completely unwound, andcorrespondingly irrespective of whether the static thrust of the springis supplemented by the impact which delivers the momentum acquired bythe parts during a cycle of the operation thereof.

It will be further seen that, with the arrangement thus far described,there will beno tendency to objectionably disturb the toggle jointlinkage in the event that the shaft 29 tends to rotate in reversedirection (counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs. '1 and 3) when the mainshaft 33 is rotated for the purpose of winding the main spring. For thisreason, the arm 77 will not be subject to displacement because of anysuch reverse rotation of the shaft 29, to the end that reverse rotationof the shaft 29 incident to re-winding of main spring will not-bepermitted to react through the arm 101 to cause unintended release ofthe paper feeding train.

Inasmuch as the magnetically operated latch mechanism is unaffected byany movements or thrust variations of the punch shaft cam 99, thelatching parts may be made relatively light, and therefore rapidlyoperable by a comparatively weak magnetic force, without incurringobjectionably rapid wear or deterioration due to impacts incident tooperation; and the force of the spring or other means provided forpreventing unintended disengagement of the latch need not be as great aswould be needed if the latch mechanism was subject to displacement orother causes of chattering each time the shaft 29 is brought to rest.Obviously, all decreases in the mass of the parts and in the strength ofthe latching spring, which can be made without impairment of durabilityor dependability of operation, serve to decrease the amount of magneticforce required to assure accurate response to signaling impulses.

Inasmuch as the toggle linkage 107 is connected directly to the impactreceiving portion of the control lever arm 101, distortion of parts andimpairment of dependability of operation due to lost motion or tortionalstresses is avoided, and the application of the thrust of the dog 9'7 torespective sides of the arm 101 through arms 124 of said dog, and thecorresponding use of the double links 10'? for transmitting the thrustfrom the respective sides of the arm 101 to those of the arm-109 assurethat, when the toggle joint is closed, all thrust delivered by the cam99 will act in a balanced manner through a direct line on the pivot 111without any tendency either to twist the linkage or to open the togglejoint. It is believed that mechanism such as just described involves theuse of the fewest possible parts consistent with the dependableaccomplishment of the required functions, and it has been found thatmagnetically controlled releasing mechanism embodying this arrangement,although built of parts much smaller and lighter than have heretoforebeen used for corresponding purposes in like instruments, are wellqualified to resist all strains created therein and so reduce wear onthese parts as to increase the life and durability of the mechanism as awhole to such an extent that instruments so equipped do not show anyimpairment of accuracy and dependabilityof operation, and show little,if any, wear of the parts of the magnetically controlled releasingmechanism, after ten or more times a number of actuations such as wouldhave resulted in serious impairment of operable dependability, due towear of parts, of corresponding instruments as heretofore built.

Following the last perforation of the punch corresponding to the finalsignal impulse of any completed signal, the feed of the tape continuesfor the persisting feed interval established by the feed controlmechanism, as hereinbefore more fully explained, and is then brought torest, leaving the parts as represented in Fig. l and leaving asubstantial exposed length of tape between the last perforation and thepunch casing 17.

Circuit. controlling mechanism is provided for actuation by the feedmechanism, herein through the movement of the detent arm '77. Suchcircuit controlling mechanism comprises the suitably insulated andnormally open spring contacts 127 and 128 (Fig. 2) supported on theframe member 129 of the machine. The contact 128 is provided with anoutstanding angled projection 131 disposed within the path of theprojecting end 132 of the feed detent arm 77 as the latter is movedlaterally by engagement with the screw 91; said projection 131 beinglocated in such portion of the path of the end 132 that, after havingbeen engaged by said end 132, said projection 131 will be disengagedthereby just prior to the point in the movement of the arm 77 responsiveto the screw 91, when the pin 81 is carried into the path of the pin 83and thereby effects stoppage of the feed train. The contacts 127 and 128are so positioned, with relation to one another and to the end 132 thatsaid contact 128 will be moved into engagement with said contact 127when the end 132 is being carried past the projection 131 by engagementof the nut 89 (carried by the foot 79) with the screw 91.

Through the utilization of the contacts of this circuit controllingmechanism, provision is made whereby an automatic time stamp may beoperated in connection with the recorder herein described. Such timestamp is not herein shown, but may be any one of the usual typesemployed in connection with recorders of this character, and shouldpreferably be so located that the tape will pass therethrough afterleaving the punch casing 17, so that the time and date may be imprintedupon the exposed length of tape presented after the last perforation ofeach signal.

When these contacts are utilized for time stamp control, as justindicated, it is desirable that the position of the projection 131 withrelation to the path of movement of the end 132 while the nut 89 istraveling along the screw 91, shall be such that the disengagement ofthe end 132 from the projection 131 will occur sufficiently in advanceof the stoppage of the feeding train so that the time stamp imprint uponthe tape will be rendered visible by being carried beyond the timestamp. before the feed train comes to rest.

For many purposes as, for example, when the circuit controllingmechanism is utilized for controlling the actuation of the printingmechanism of a time stamp as just referred to, it is desirable that thecontacts shall not be closed during the movement of the arm 77, while itis supported by the rod 119, incident to a signaling impulse. To thisend, the projection 131 is of such form and location that it does notextend into the path traversed by the end 132 when the arm '77 has beenlifted by the bar 119; so that, when so lifted, the arm 77 may swingfrom its normal position to that in which the nut 89 is brought intoengagement with the leading end of the screw 91 without thereby movingthe contact 128 into engagement with the contact 127.

Electro-mechanical signaling recorders of the general type thus fardescribed may be required for response to either of two classes ofsignaling circuits. In the case of one of these classes, it isdesirable, for reasons well understood by those skilled in this art,that the tape marking mechanism shall act whenever the circuit of thecontrolling magnet is broken. This condition is usually found where thesignaling circuit stands normally closed and is alternately broken andclosed in the course of the formation of code signals, signaling systemsemploying circuits of this type being frequently referred to as closedcircuit systems. In the case of circuits of the other. class, it iscorrespondingly desirable that the tape marking mechanism shall actwhenever the condition of the controlling circuit changes from open toclosed. Signaling systems in which this is true usually employ normallyopen circuits and are frequently referred to as open circuit systems.From the foregoing it will be evident that, for the purposes hereinconsidered, the significant portion of a signaling impulse (or of acycle of changes in the condition of the controlling circuit) occurswhen the condition of current flow in the circuit is so modified as toresult in terminationof the effective magnetization of the controllingmagnets of the instruments responsive to that circuit; and, in the caseof an open circuit system, such significant portion occurs when; thecondition of current flow in the circuit is so modified as to result inthe establshment of effective magnetization of such controlling magnets.

It is obvious that material changes in operative relationship of partsare essential to the conversion of tripping mechanism such as herecontemplated from a condition suited for response to such closed circuitsystems to one suited for response to such open circuit systems, or viceversa. To convert a signal recording machine constructed for normallyclosed circuit use into a machine constructed for normally open circuituse, or vice versa, has heretofore required the partial dismantling ofthe machine and the substantial reconstruction or rearrangement of thelatching and trip mechanism; In the disclosed machine, however,provision is made whereby, through a 'simple adjustment, which may bemade available at the outside of the machine, the latter may be readilyconverted from a machine usable on a normally open signaling circuit toa machine usable on a normally closed signaling circuit, or vice versa.

Referring more particularly to the parts comprising the latching andtrip mechanism, the latch 113 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) is formed integral withthe angularly projecting supporting arm 133 pivotally mounted at 116 onone side of and near the lower forked end of the detent arm 115.

The latch has projecting from its side, parallel with its pivot but inan eccentric relation thereto, a raised stop stud 134 which enters andhas a limited movement between the separated walls of the detent armpresented by the forked ends thereof. The latch when free is drawn toits limit of movement in a counter-clockwise direction (represented inFig. 3) against one of the forked tips of the detent arm by the tensionspring 135, the latter connecting one end of the projection 133 with aneye formed in the detent arm lug 136, but is capable of a slight reversemovement until brought to rest by engagement of the stop lug with theopposite forked tip of the detent arm. When the detent arm 115 is swungcounter-clockwise (Fig. 3) by the straightening of the toggle joint, theshouldered end-of the latch 113 passes under and. snaps back of asuitable catch device and is there held until released by the action ofthe magnet.

In Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the parts constituting the locking and tripmechanism are shown as adjusted for use in connection with a normallyclosed signaling circuit; thus, when the toggle joint is straightenedand. the detent arm swung back, the latch (Fig. 55) passes beneath andengages with the shouldered underside of a catch bar 137 which extendsinwardly for a short distance from the frame or casing of the machine(Fig. 4) The catch bar 137 is carried by a cylindrical stud-like support139 fitting an aperture in the machine frame and having the externalflanged head 141 by which it is fastened to the wall of the machinecasing by the two diametrically opposite screws 142. In this positionthe catch bar projects into the path of the pivoted latch 113, so thatwhen the latter is moved beneath and beyond the catch it engages there'-With and is locked thereby.

The supporting stud 139 also carries ashort projecting companion bar 143parallel with the catch bar and providing a narrow, open slot betweenthem, the bar 143 being positioned, however, so that it offers nointerference to the releasing movement of the latch when it is dislodgedfrom the catch bar. The magnet 105 has the armature 145 carried by thearmature lever 147 secured to the rock shaft 149 and provided with theretractile spring 151. Connected to the rock shaft to move with thearmature lever is the trip bar arm 153 carrying the inturned or angledtip 155, the latter having a substantially vertical path of movementsituated Within the open space formed between the catch bar 137 and itscompanion bar 143 and extending transversely the path of the latch.

In the idle or inactive condition of the machine, the parts are as shownin Fig. l; the signaling circuit being closed, the armature is inrezone? attracted position and the latch is in engagement with and beingheld by the tip 155, thereby retaining the toggle joint closed and thecontrol parts in stop position. Upon the occurrence of the significantportion of a signal impulse; i. e.,

when the signaling circuit is broken, the armature 145 is retracted bythe spring 151 (Fig. 3), raising the tip 155 to the position shown inFig. 5a and thereby releasing the latch 113. This allows the togglejoint to open and the parts to move to the release position shown inFig'. 3. On the completion of the ensuing rotation of the punch shaft29, the engagement of the punch cam 99 with the restoring arm 121 causesthe detent arm 115 to swing back and the latch 113 to snap back. beneaththe depending shouldered wall of the catch bar 137, which it thereuponengages and thereby effects the locking relationship therewith, as shownin Fig. 5b.

When, now, the circuit next closes, the resulting movement of thearmature 145 will cause the tip 155 to swing down into the positionshown in Fig. 5c, disengaging the latch 113 from the catch bar 137 andallowing it to move from its primary stopped position (Fig. 55) into itssecondary stopped position (Fig. l) where it engages with the tip 155and is thereby held locked until the succeeding occurrence of thesignificant portion of a signal impulse. If, during a cycle of events,such as just described, the signal circuit should again close before thepunch shaft 29 has completed its revolution and before the latch isswung back, the latter will engage directly with the tip 155 and belocked thereby, the tip being swung down coincidently with the closingof the signaling circuit.

To convert the mechanism disclosed in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 into oneusable in connection with a normally open signaling circuit, theconstruction is such that the relationship of the catch bar 137 to thetip 155 may readily be reversed, thereby utilizing the same locking andtrip mechanism for employment in a normally open circuit. This isaccomplished by unfastening the studlike support 139 from the machinecasing by removing the two screws 142, withdrawing the head 141 farenough from the frame 15 to disengage the catch bar 137 and the shortbar 143 from the latch 113 and the tip 155, (Fig. 4) then turning thehead 141 through 180 degrees, and thereafter again restoring andfastening it in place, so that the catch bar 137 occupies a positionbetween the tip 155 and the detent arm 115 (as represented in Fig. 6)instead of on the opposite side of the tip (as represented in Figs. 1, 3and 5). This permits the same machine, without other change than thesimple, externally-available adjustment of the catch bar support, to beutilized equally well whether significant response is required at timeof the closing or the breaking of the controlling signal circuit.

When the locking mechanism is adjusted as last described and as shown inFig. 6, for socalled open signaling circuit operation, in the idlecondition of the machine the latch 113 is held by the now inverted catchbar 137 (Fig. 6a), the signaling circuit being then open and the tip 155raised. On closure of the circuit, the tip 155 is lowered to theposition shown in Fig. 6b, disengaging the latch 113 and allowing thetoggle joint to open. On the completion of the resultant revolution ofthe punch shaft, the latch 113 returns and is caught and held by the tip155 in its primary stopped position (Fig.

60), the subsequent opening of the signaling circuit causing the tip 155to riseas shown in Fig. 6d, releasing the latch 113 which then movesslightly forward into its secondary stopped position (Fig. 5a), where itis again in engagement with the catch bar 137 preparatory to the receiptof another signal. If, during a cycle-of events such as just described,the signal circuit should again open before the latch is restoredincident to the ensuing revolution of the punch shaft 29, the tip 155will be raised out of the path of the latch 113, which will therefore bepermitted to move directly into latching engagement with the catch bar137, as shown in Fig. 5a.

The catch bar 137, which provided the primary stop of the escapementwhen adjusted for closed circuit operation, thus becomes the secondarystop for the escapement when adjusted to open circuit operation, whilethe tip 155 which provided the secondary stop in the first case becomesthe primary stop in the readjusted position.

The tip 155 oscillates between the two rigid bars 137 and 143 and inclose proximity thereto in either adjusted position of the studlikesupport 139, so that it is protected by either one bar or the other fromthe distorting effect of any thrust delivered by the return movement ofthe latch 113 and from any distorting or displacing effect of this latchwhen stopped and locked up by this tip. The companion bar 143 also actsas a stop to limit the backward movement of the detent arm 115 andprevent too great an overthrow of the toggle joint linkage, whenadjusted as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and a similar function isperformed by the catch bar 137 when the two members are in reversedposition as shown in Fig. 6.

It will therefore be seen that the tip 155 and the catch bar 137provide, for both adjustments, the two stops for an electro-magneticallyactuated two-step escapement for the detent arm, that the tip 155 servesat all times as a tripping means or trip, and that the support 139provides an accessible and simple adjustment whereby the order of theeffectiveness of the escapement stops may readily be so reversed as torender the escapement properly responsive to either open or closedcircuit operation Referring now to the punching mechanism, and moreparticularly to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, the punch member 19 comprises agenerally cylindrical body portion 157, the upper part of which isguided for vertical reciprocatory movement in a cylindrical bore 159 inthe upper part of the punch casing 17 and the reduced diameter lowerpart of which is correspondingly guided in a cylindrical opening 160 inthe bottom of the casing. Reciprocatory movement is imparted. to thepunch by an eccentric driving connection or crank 161 carried by thepunch shaft 29, which latter extends through the machine frame 15 into achamber 163 provided in the punch casing 17. The crank 161 is secured toand rotatably mounted in the lower end of a swiveled connecting l nk165, the opposite end of which fits within a slot formed in the upperend of the punch body to which it is pivotedby the pin 167. Thecylindrical body portion 157 of the punch is cut away or slabbed off fora substantial part of its length to allow the connecting link 1635 to befitted therein and to allow for the slight oscillating movementrelatively to the punch imparted to it incident to its actuation by thecrank.

In Fig. 7 the punch is shown in the position it occupies in the stoppedor inactive condition of the punching train. On the release of thepunching train, the punch shaft 29 turns through one complete rotation,acting through the link 165 quickly to move the punch down (as shown inFig. 8), and thereafter immediately to return it to the position shownin Fig. 7,'when the punch shaft is brought to rest.

The construction of the described support and operating connections forthe punch provides a simple and ready means for assembling the parts andone requiring little or no attention after assemblage. To effectassemblage of the punch parts, before the punch casing is fastened tothe machine frame or the punch is placed in its casing, the connectinglink 165 is slipped into its place in the body portion of the punch andthere fastened by the pin 167. The punch. is then inserted through thebore 159 from above and the closure cap 169 is threaded into place toclose the top of the casing. The pivot pin requires no specialconstruction to hold it in place as it is confined by the walls of thepunch casing after assemblage. With the parts thus assembled, the

casing is then applied to the side of the machine frame, the hole in theconnecting link'165 being brought into such a position as to receive theentering end of the crank 161, after which the casing is suitably boltedin position t'ii lthe side of the frame.

To the bottom of the punch casing, and in a suitably formed recesstherein, cooperatively related to the active or cutting end of the punch19, there is provided the supporting plate 171, leaving between theplate and the bottom of the punch casing the paper feeding slot 173through which the recording tape is caused to be "ed beneath the punchand over and across the supporting plate. The tape slot 173 is providedwith a lateral exit opening 175 (Fig. 8) formed in the bottom of thepunch casing and extending from the side of the punch to the outside ofthe casing in the direction of the feed of the tape so as to permit anypaper punchings which may find lodgment upon the tape to be carried outby the feeding movement of the tape.

The supporting plate 171 is provided with an opening 177 through whichthe cutting tip 181 of the punch 19 may freely pass, and the tubularmember 179 is secured to the under side of this plate, so as to registerwith said opening and to serve as a conveyor for punchings which havebeen cut from te tape and forced through said opening 177.

This opening 177 is larger than the cutting tip 181 of the punch, thewalls of the opening being spaced away from the sides of the punch tipwhen it is within the opening, for a substantial distance. In thepractice, it has been found desirable to provide a space greater thanthe thickness of the tape between all portions of the punch tip and thesurrounding walls of the supporting plate 171.

With a relationship of parts such as herein indicated, it has been foundunnecessary to provide or maintain square or sharp edges aroundrangement heretofore employed. Such avoidance of necessity for originalsharpening, and for subsequent re-sharpening, contributes materially tothe dependability and durability of recorders of the general type hereunder consideration, as such recorders of the prior art have employedpunches arranged to perforate the paper by means of a shearing cut, thecutting edge of the punch plunger being arranged to cooperate with acomplementary cutting edge of a closely fitted die plate, requiringmaintenance of effectively sharpened cutting edges of both the punch anddie in order to prevent shreds or fibers of the paper from being drawninto the slight clearance between the punch and the die Walls andthereby so multiplying the friction that the energy of the punch drivingtrain has often proved insufficient to complete the cycle of driving thepunch through the paper and into the opening provided therefor in thedie and then Withdrawing the punch therefrom. The situation as to suchprior art recorders has been further complicated by the fact that thecutting of paper by a punch and die under the circumstances justdescribed tends to cause very rapid deterioration of the cutting edgesof both the punch and the die. It has also been found that themanufacture of such punches and dies has incurred considerable expensebecause of the very accurate fitting required, and there has been adistinct element of uncertainty as to the continuance of dependableoperability of individual specimens as heretofore manufactured, due tothe fact that irregularities in dimension or form which were of suchminute extent as to render it difficult if not impossible to discernthem in advance of use, have resulted in development of failures due tosticking of the punch in the die of some specimens after a number ofoperations which were but a fraction of the number which another punchand die, seemingly identical, would operate without failure. Preliminarytests did not seem to afford an adequate safeguard for this condition,as a punch and die which would cause signal recording failures within5,000 or 10,000 actuations would accomplish the first few thousandactuations with a degree of efficiency not discernably different fromanother punch and die which, upon side by side test, might operate10,000 times, 50,000 times or even 100,000 times without a signalingfailure.

Owing to the extreme importance of service of this class, it has beenconsidered very objectionable to have signaling failures of this kinddevelop, but no means has heretofore been discovered for preventing theoccurrence of such failures because of progressive wear of parts anddeterioration of cutting edges.

As an illustration of the difference between the service life of theimproved punching mechanism herein described as compared with that ofthe prior art, it may be mentioned that only in exceptional cases has itbeen found that the prior art types of mechanism would operatesuccessfully more than about 100,000 times through paper of the kindordinarily utilized for the tape of such recorders and, when failure didoccur, the other parts of the recording mechanism (with the occasionalexception of the electromagnetic releasing mechanism would be inreasonably good operating condition and would not show any indicationsof appreciable wear. Recorders otherwise identical with those heretoforeequipped with prior art types of punching mechanism, when equipped withthe improved type of punching mechanism herein disclosed, have beenoperated until the pivots in the frame plates have developed a degree ofwear such as to cause noticeable irregularity in the operation of themechanism and thereby give ample warning that the machine is practicallyworn out, without once failing to fully accomplish the operating cycleof the punching mechanism in a manner apparently as efficient as whenfirst manufactured, notwithstanding the mechanism having been subjectedto between four million and five million actuations.

It is believed that the ability for long continued use withoutre-sharpening or other attention is substantially contributed to by theprovision of a perforating device adapted to remove a definite puncharea from the tape, herein of circular shape, by what resembles adrawing cut and without the necessity of employing a shearing out. It isbelieved, however, that a further factor contributes toward this result,inasmuch as it has been found that,-especially under certain atmosphericconditions,-a charge of static electricity is developed between thepunch and the traveling paper tape, because of which the punchings ofpaper discs removed from the tape tend to cling to the punch and to thewalls of the die so that, by re-entering a hole in the tape, the discjust punched therefrom, (perhaps accompanied by an accumulation ofseveral other discs which had found lodgment in the throat of a priorart tightly fitting die) would be disposed in a plane more or less atvariance with that of the moving tape and thereby tend to clog themovement of the tape (with resultant distortion of the representation ofthe time intervals between successive perforations) and to disable thepunching mechanism when it was next released by presenting in the pathof one edge of the punch one or more additional thicknesses of paper(provided by the reentered disc or discs), thereby clogging the machineso that it would not respond to further signaling impulses untilmanually cleared of the accumulation of punchings.

With a view of eliminating the opportunity for failure found in priorart punch mechanisms, as just described, the herein disclosed punchmechanism is arranged to operate under such conditions that thepunchings or discs are deprived of any substantial tendency to cling tothe punch and have imparted thereto a tendency to disengage therefrom assoon as detached from the paper; besides being carried by the punch intoan opening in the supporting plate which is so much greater than thesize of the punching disc as to preclude such accumulation and packingof discs as takes place in the prior art tightly fitted dies.

correspondingly, the punching mechanism here disclosed is so arrangedthat, although the lower end of the punch casing is so formed as toserve as a stripper for holding the paper tape against its tendency tomove upwardly with the punch when the latter is withdrawn afterpenetrating the tape, the walls of the opening in the bottom of thecasing around the cutting edge of the punch are spaced far enough fromthe punch so that even if certain fibers or shreds of paper are carriedupwardly with the punch, there will be no opportunity for them to becomewedged between the punch and the walls of the guiding support providedfor the lower end thereof. To this end, the perforating tip 181 of thepunch 19 is of slightly less diameter than the lower end of the opening160 from which it protrudes when penetrating the underlying tape,besides being of substantially lesser-diameter than the registeringopening 177 in the supporting plate 171, as hereinbefore explained. Theclearance in each instance is preferably greater than the thickness ofthe tape or other material to be perforated and, in the instance of theclearance between the punch and easing, this clearance may be obtainedeither by reducing the diameter of the cutting end of the punch asshown, or by providing an enlarged diameter at the lower end of theopening 160, as desired.

For the purpose of imparting a tendency for punching discs to disengagefrom the punch end, as soon as they have been detached from the paper,the perforating edge of the punch is formed (Fig. 12) by providing aV-shaped recess in the cylindrical end of the punch so that the tippresents the two fiat beveled faces 183 and 185, each receding inwardlyfrom the tip, the pointed apex 187 of the face 183 protruding slightlybeyond the apex 189 of the face 285 for a reason which will be presentlydescribed, so that the perimeter of the punch tip presents cutting orpunching edges which unite at one apex but recede backwardly therefromto a point on inciding with the bottom of the recess, and then continueforwardly until they again join at the apex of the other face.

When the punch descends upon the tape, the cutting tips or apexes 187and 189 engage the paper at diametrically opposite points and puncturethe paper thereat, respectively initiating similar are shaped cuts. Asthe punch further penetrates toward the position shown in Fig. 9c, thelines of cut spread or progressively extend on both sides of the punchhead, from the points of original puncture at the respective apexes eachtoward the other, until they meet, leaving a circular disc 191 fullydetached from the tape, as shown in Fig. 9d.

Due to the action upon the punching disc because of the formation of therecessed end of the punching tip, as just described, the disc tends,while being detached from the tape, to curl up into the beveled end ofthe punch against the abutting walls presented thereby; so that, whenfully detached, it occupies a flexed or distorted position, as indicatedin Fig. 9c. Thereupon, as the punch moves toward its lowermost positionwhere the disc has become wholly detached from the tape, as shown inFig. 9d, the disc tends to spring from its cramped or flexed positiontoward a flatwise shape, thereby dislodging and ejecting itself from thepunch tip so that it drops into the conveying tube member 179 and fallsinto a suitable receptacle below. This effects an automaticself-ejection of the punchings from the punch, and the clearanceresulting from the difference in size between the punchings and theopenings in the supporting plate 171 and the tubular member 1'79 servesto minimize the tendency to develop sufiicient suction during the upwardmovement of the punch to draw any of the punchings back through theopening just found in the tape; if, however, any punching disc becomeslodged in such an opening in the tape, or if any should be carried abovethe tape by the punch, due to excessive static electrical charge, ittends to quickly become dislodged from the punch (if adhering thereto)and in any event is carried out by the succeeding feeding movement ofthe tape, with which it is freely permitted to travel through thelateral exit opening 175. Furthermore-, even should a punching continueto cling to the punch in its flexed or bent position, it can offer nosubstantial interference with the functioning of the punch in makingsuccessive perforations; and should a punching disc lie upon the tape inthe path of the descending punch, the punch could not be thereby forcedto a position where it would not register with the opening 160 in thesupporting plate 171 (although failures of prior art punches haverepeatedly occurred when they have been correspondingly deflected withrelation to their tightly fitted die plate opening).

It has been found that during the cutting action of a punch such as heredisclosed, the energy absorbed is greatest at the time when the punch isfreshly penetrating the paper, as distinguished from times when it iseffecting a running cut or tearing the paper along a line extending awayfrom a point of previous penetration. For. this reason, the perforatingtip of the punch is so proportioned that the apex 187 first encountersthe paper (See Fig. 9a) and only after said apex has penetrated entirelythrough the paper is the apex 189 brought into engagement with the paperat a diametrically opposite point.

With this arrangement it has been found that the amount of powerrequired to assure dependable operation is little more than one-halfthat required if the perforating tip of the punch is so arranged thatapexes otherwise corresponding to 187 and 189 simultaneously engage thepaper. It is also then found that best results are obtainable if the twoapexes are disposed in a line parallel with the direction of movement ofthe paper tape, and such that the apex 187 which first penetrates thetape is in advance, along the line of movement, of the apex 189.

The perforating tip 181 in which the V-shaped recess is formed, ispreferably of solid cross-section or, if tubular or hollow, is of suchformation that annular or other abutting walls of substantial area arepresented within the periphery of the tip to engage the punching or discafter its release from the tape. That portion of the tip which entersand penetrates the tape is also preferably formed as shown with parallelexternal walls, or at least with a periphery undiminishing toward thetip and without any such external taper or bevel toward the tip as wouldgive the perforating perimeter which initially enters the tape a lesserdimension than that of the following portion of the penetrating end. If,however, it is desired to provide a diameter of the following portion ofthe pentrating tip which is somewhat smaller than that of the tipitself, this may be done without appreciable impairment of efficiency.

Because of the substantial clearance provided between the supportingplate 171 and the cutting edge of the punch, the latter does not contacttherewith in its ordinary functioning and no wear of either will resultsuch as develops from the coaction of prior art types of tightly fittingpunches and dies for cutting paper; and, because of the running out ortearing action through which the disc is detached from the paper tape,the rounding over of adjacent edges of the perforating tip 181 of thepunch and of the walls of the opening 177 of the supporting plate doesnot appreciably impair the effectiveness of the mechanism. Indeed, ithas been found that satisfactory operating results can be obtained ifthe punch end and supporting plate are made of soft steel, withouthardening and without sharpening, as dependable results will be obtainedthroughout long periods of service; and, even if, under thesecircumstances, a slight burr or enlargement should be formed on theperforating tip 181 of the punch, inasmuch as the opening 177 in thesupporting plate 171 and the opening 160 in the punch casing 17 are ofsubstantially larger diameter than the cutting tip 181, such burr orenlargement will not cause the punch to stick either in the casing or inthe supporting plate, irrespective of any such shreds of paper as may bedragged one way or the other by any such burr.

Although the described punch is so formed as to provide a circularperforation in the tape, the shape of the parts may be altered toproduce perforations of other forms.

The supporting plate 171 is seated against the two shouldered walls 192and 193 of the punch casing (Fig. 10) which serve to space the platefrom the mouth of the opening 160 so as to provide the tape feeding slot173. The plate 171 is formed with the arc-shaped edges 195 and 197 (Fig.11) concentric with the opening 177, which edges fit accurately againstand between the arcshaped walls 199 and 201 formed in the bottom of thepunch casing 17 and concentric with the punch bore 159-460, so that,when seated in the recess presented by these Walls, an exact alignmentis assured between the openng 177 in the supporting plate 171 and theperforating tip 181 of the punch 19 as guided by the opening 160 in thecasing 17. The supporting plate 171 is securely retained in the recessprovided therefor between the arc-shaped edges 195 and 197 and againstthe shouldered walls 192 and 193, by means of the attaching screws 203.

While we have herein shown and described, for purposes of illustration,a single embodiment of the invention in the form of a signal recorder ofone specific type, it will be understood that the various mechanismswhich are herein shown combined may be utilized, either individually orin various combinations, in recorders of widely varying constructions,and that the form, relative arrangement and construction of the partsconstituting such individual mechanisms may be varied and altered withinwide limits, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism andtape feeding. mechanism, of constantly impelled driving trains actuatingthe same, a control member for the recording train movable to stop or torelease the latter, electro-magnetically actuated escapement devices forthe control member, an escapement for the feed train for governing therate of tape feed, control mechanism for the feed train comprising ascrew revoluble with the feed train and a detent arm having both avertical and horizontal swinging movement and arranged for engaging withsaid screw to move the arm to a position where it will arrest the feedtrain, and a lifting member carried by the recording control memberunderlying the detent arm for its full horizontal swinging movement andadapted, when the control member is moved to its release position, toraise the arm from its feed arresting position to release the feed trainand, when moved to its stop position, to permit the arm to descend andre-engage with the screw in spaced relation to its feed arrestingposition, thereby to provide for the lapse of a feeding interval throughnee ed? the operation of said feed train before its subsequent stoppageby the detent.

2. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism andtape feeding mechanism,'of constantly impelled driving trains actuatingthe same, a control member for the recording train movable to stop orrelease the latter, a feed train detent mounted for pivotal movement intwo planes, an impelling device operated through the feed train withwhich the detent is engageable to be swung thereby about one axis andmoved to a feed train arresting position, and means associated with thecontrol member for swinging the detent about its other axis to disengageit from the impelling means and re-engage it therewith in spacedrelation to its feed arresting position, thereby to provide for thelapse of a feeding interval through the operation of said feeding trainbefore its subsequent stoppage by the detent.

3. In a signal the combination with recording mechanism and tape feedingmechanism of constantly impelled driving trains actuating the same, acontrol member for the recording train movable to stop or release thelatter, a toggle linkage connected to the control member and adapted tobe moved to approximately closed pbsition when the control member ismoved to stop position, means for holding the toggle closed,electro-magnetically actuated releasing mechanism for releasing thetoggle, a feed train detent mounted for pivotal movement in two planes,an impelling device operated through the feed train with which thedetent is engageable to be moved thereby to a feed train arrestingposition, and means associated with the control lever for moving thedetent to disengage it from the impelling means and re-engage ittherewith in spaced relation to its feed arresting position, thereby toprovide for the lapse of a feeding interval through the operation ofsaid feed train before its subsequent stoppage by the detent.

i. In a signal mechanism, the combination with recording mechanism andtape feeding mechanism, of a constantly impelled driving train, agoverning mechanism comprising a bellcrank-lever having a stop arm, arestraining arm, and a tape feed controlling member mounted on andmovable with said stop arm.

5. In a signal mechanism, the combination with recording mechanism andtape feeding mechanism, of a constantly impelled driving train, agoverning mechanism comprising a bell-crank lever having a stop arm anda restoring arm, said stop arm having an offset portion, and a tape feedcontrolling member mounted in the offset portion thereof.

6. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantlyimpelled rotary operating shaft, of a cam on said shaft, a pivotedcontrol member having holding and releasing positions and provided witha resiliently yieldable abutment effective for arresting rotation of thecam and holding the shaft against rotation when in holding position,locking means for retaining said control member in holding position, thesame comprising a toggle joint one end of which is hinged to saidcontrol member and the other end of which is carried by a fixed pivot,said toggle joint so proportioned and positioned that when straightenedto bring the intermediate joint in substantial alignment with the hingeand the pivot at the respective ends thereof said control member will bein holding position, a spring tending to deflect the toggle joint tomove the control member to releasing position a restoring deviceconnected with the control member to effect straightening of the toggleto move the controlling member to holding position, the same comprisingan arm secured to the control member and moved by the cam, means forholding the toggle joint against deflection comprising a detent armmoving with the second named end of the toggle joint, a latch carried bysaid arm, and signal responsive trip mechanism therefor comprising astationary catch, a trip member .and an electromagnet for actuating thetrip member.

7. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantlyimpelled rotary member, of a pivoted control member having holding andreleasing positions and provided with a resiliently yieldable abutmenteffective when in holding position for stopping and holding the rotarymember against rotation, locking means for retaining said control memberin holding position, the same comprising a toggle joint one end of whichis hinged to said control member and the other end of which is carriedby a fixed pivot, said toggle joint so proportioned and positioned thatwhen straightened to bring the intermediate joint in substantialalignment with the hinge and the pivot at the respective ends thereofsaid control member will be in holding position, means tending todeflect the toggle joint to move the control member to releasingposition, a restoring device connected with the control member to effectstraightening of the toggle joint to move the controlling member toholding position, the same comprising an arm secured to the controlmember and moved by the cam, means for holding the toggle joint againstdeflection, and signal responsive trip mechanism for releasing I thetoggle joint from the holding means.

8. In signal responsive mechanism having a constantly impelled rotarysignal operating device, the combination of a control member pivoted formovement to a stop position to restrain the movement of said rotarydevice, and to a release position to permit same to rotate, linkageconnected to said control member for governing movement between therespective positions thereof, means to restore the control member tostop position on rotation of said rotary device, electromagneticallyactuated escape mechanism for the linkage, and a spring tensioned lugcarried by said control member and located within the path of saidrotary device to provide a cushioned stop therefor.

9. In a signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantlyimpelled rotary signal operating device, of a control member movable toa position for holding said device against rotation and presenting ayieldable stop to engage and cushion the stoppage of said device, atoggle joint connected to said control member, means tending to deflectthe toggle joint, means for holding the toggle joint against deflection,and electro-magnetically actuated trip mechanism for releasing thetoggle joint on receipt of a signal.

10. In a signal recorder, the combination with recording mechanism andrecord feeding devices having constantly impelled driving means thereforand including a rotary member to govern the actuation of said recordingmechanism, of a control member adapted for movement from a positionwhere said recording mechanism and feeding devices are released foractuation to a position for effecting restraint of the movement thereof,and a resiliently yieldable stop carried by said control member andeffective when in the second named position to stop and hold said rotarymember against movement.

11. In signal responsive mechanism, the combination with a constantlyimpelled driving train, of governing mechanism therefor comprising amovable control lever, and a spring cushioned bifurcated stop memberpivotally attached to the opposite sides of said lever by thebifurcations thereof.

12. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelledrotatable driving train controlling member, of governing mechanismtherefor comprising a stop lever adapted to receive the impact of saidcontrolling member, and locking mechanism comprising a toggle jointhaving a link connected to the impact receiving portion of said leverand a second pivotally connected erning mechanism therefor comprising apivoted stop lever, a locking toggle joint for said stop levercomprising a pivotally mounted toggle member, and a second toggle membercomprising a pair oflinks pivotally connected at one end to the oppositesides of said stop lever and at the opposite end to the opposite sidesof said first named toggle member.

14. In a signal mechanism, the combination with governing mechanismincluding a restoring arm and locking toggle members, of a membermovable by said restoring arm to engage one of said members to swingsame to effect straightening of the toggle joint.

15. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelleddriving train, with governing mechanism therefor comprising a bellcranklever having a stop arm and a restoring arm, a locking toggle joint alink of which has a lost motion connection to the stop arm, and a membermoving with said bell-crank lever for engaging a member of said togglejoint to swing same to effect straightening of the toggle joint.

16. In signal mechanism, the combination with constantly impelledmechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism thereforcomprising a movable detent member having a latch, holding and trippingdevices for the latch including a stationary catch member adapted to beengaged by and to hold the latch, a stationary protecting member at theside of the catch member, an electro-magnetically actuated trip membermovable across the path of the latch between the catch member and.protecting member, said trip member being adapted when moved against thelatch to dislodge the latter when held by the catch member and beingfurthermore adapted to catch and hold the latch when moved in catchingrelationship to the latch, said trip member and catch constituting thetwo stops of a twostep escapement, and a support for said catch memberand protecting member adjustably and reversibly mounted, whereby therelationship of the catch member and the trip member may be reversed toadapt the releasing mechanism for response to either normally open ornormally closed signalling circuits.

17. In a signal mechanism, the combination ing a stationary catch memberadapted to be engaged by and to hold the latch, an electromagneticallyactuated trip. member movable across the path of the latch at the sideof the 5 catch member, said trip member being adapted when moved againstthe latch to dislodge the latter when held by the catch member and fur-}thermore adapted to catch and hold the latch {when moved in catchingrelationship to the latch,

{said trip member and catch constituting the two steps of a two-stepescapement, and a support for said catch member adjustably andreversibly mounted in the machine, whereby the relationship of the catchmember to the trip member may be reversed to adapt the releasingmechanism -for response to either normally open or normally closedsignaling circuits.

18. In a signal mechanism, the combination with constantly impelledmechanism for response to signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detent, an electro-magnetically actuateddetent-locking and releasing mechanism including the two detent stoppingmembers of a two-step escapement, and an adjustable device for reversingthe position of said stopping members with relation to the detentmember, whereby the releasing mechanism may be adapted for use inconnection with normally closed signaling circuits or normally opensignaling circuits.

19. In a signal mechanism, the combination with mechanism for responseto signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detentlever, a latch carried by said lever, a stationary catch, a magneticallyactuated trip 5 movable at the side of said catch and into the path ofthe latch, and a support for said catch adjustably and reversiblymounted whereby the position of said catch and said trip may be reversedat will with relation to the latch.

20. In a signal mechanism, the combination with mechanism for responseto signals, of releasing mechanism therefor comprising a movable detent,a stationary catch toward which the detent is moved for engagementtherewith, an electro-magnetically actuated trip member having a path ofmovement at the side of the catch, and a support for the catchadjustable to position the catch at either side of the path of movementof the trip member.

21. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, amagnetically actuated trip bar, a detent arm, a spring latch carried bythe detent arm, and a catch. device for the latch comprising a studhaving a slotted end presenting two separated members between which thetrip bar is adapted to move, and a flanged head which the stud issupported for adjustable rotative movement.

22. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, amagnetically actuated trip bar, a detent arm, a spring latch carried bythe arm, and a catch device for the latch comprising a stud having aslotted end presenting two separated projecting bars lying in the pathof the latch and between which the trip bar has oscillating movement.23. In a signaling device, releasingmechanism comprising a magnet, amagnetically actuated trip bar, a swinging detent arm, a latch carriedby the arm, and a catch device for the :atcn comprising two separatedbars between which the trip bar has oscillating movement.

24. In asignaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a magnet, aswinging detent arm, a spring latch carried by the detent arm, amagnetically actuated trip bar movable across the path of the latch, anda catch device comprising a support presenting a catch in the path ofthe latch and at the side of the path of the trip bar, said supportbeing adjustable to reverse the relation between the trip bar and thecatch.

25. In a signaling device, releasing mechathe end of said catch deviceand having an inturned tip entering the slotte'd end of the catch deviceand having a path of movement in said slot transverse the latch.

27. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a pivoteddetent lever having a forked end, a spring latch having a projection bywhich it is'pivotally mounted on the side of the lever near the endthereof, a stop stud eccentric with relation to the pivot and extendingfrom the side of the latch between said forked ends, said stud having alimited move ment between said forked ends, a catch to hold the latch, amagnet, and a magnet actuated releasing member to disengage the latchfrom the catch.

28. In a signaling device, releasing mechanism comprising a pivoteddetent arm having an end provided with separated stop walls, a springlatch pivoted to the lever near its end, a stop member mounted on thelatch and extending from the side thereof parallel to the latch pivotbut eccentric with relation thereto, said stop member extending betweenthe separated stop walls of the lever and having a limited movementbetween the same, a catch to hold the latch, a magnet, and a magnetactuated releasing member to disengage the latch from the catch.

29. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelledrotary member, of governing mechanism therefor including a pivoted stopmember and a locking toggle joint, the latter comprising toggleelements, one of which is pivotally supported and the other pivotallyconnected to the stop member, said stop member and toggle members beingpositioned in the same longitudinal plane, means tending to deflect thetoggle joint and releasable means to hold the same in locked position.

30. In a signal mechanism, the combination with a constantly impelleddriving train, of governing mechanism therefor comprising a bell cranklever having a stop arm and a restoring arm, and a locking toggle jointhaving a link connected directly to the stop arm.

CLARENCE E. BEACH. FOSTER E. WELD.

